Staff Attorney, Litigation

Disability Rights Wisconsin; Monona (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Disability Rights Wisconsin is seeking a Staff Attorney, Litigation in Monona, Wisconsin. The role focuses on direct representation in litigation and related advocacy, with additional duties in technical assistance and program compliance.

Juris Doctorate and Wisconsin license or timely eligibility are required. The attorney will spend significant time on client representation and travel up to 10% across Wisconsin, contributing to a mission-driven, collaborative workplace with strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and ability to obtain Wisconsin license within a timeframe.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience investigating issues, identifying facts, and conducting legal research.
• Experience representing people with diverse backgrounds in legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Direct legal services in litigation and pre-litigation settings, including research, discovery, motions, trials, and settlements.
• Provide technical legal assistance and training materials for advocates and partners.
• Support program compliance, reporting deadlines, and external engagements.
• Adhere to organizational policies, participate in staff meetings and community outreach.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation

Communication

Advocacy

Spanish/ASL desirable

Education

Juris Doctorate

Wisconsin license to practice law

Job description

Staff Attorney, Litigation

Disability Rights Wisconsin Monona, Wisconsin, United States

About this position

Who is Disability Rights Wisconsin?

Disability Rights Wisconsin is the state’s Protection and Advocacy system, working to uphold disability rights and ensure freedom from abuse and neglect. Through legal advocacy, individual representation, and systems change, our advocates and attorneys advance dignity, access, and justice across Wisconsin.

We were founded through the disability civil rights movement demanding an end to abuse and self‑determination. That legacy continues to drive our work today. We are guided by core values of equal access, dignity, independence, accessibility, community integration, rights and safety, and self‑determination.

We are working toward a Wisconsin that is accessible and just. We seek team members who are motivated by that mission and ready to make a meaningful impact. In return, we offer a collaborative, mission‑driven workplace, supportive colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave to support your well‑being and success.

Our programs include:

• Protection & Advocacy for people with disabilities (addressing abuse/neglect, discrimination, and access to services)
• Disability Benefits Specialist program (helping people access Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance)
• Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman program (supporting people to remain in community‑based settings)
• Victim Advocacy services for crime victims with disabilities

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Direct Legal Services: (80%)

  Represent clients in litigation and pre‑litigation settings. Perform legal research and writing. Conduct discovery, motion practice, pre‑trial, trial, post‑trial, and appellate litigation. Participate in negotiations, mediations, and settlements. Accurately maintain case files and documentation.

• 2. Technical Assistance (10%)

  Provide subject matter expertise, case analysis, and legal interpretation for external partners and internal staff. Create training materials for advocates, external partners, parents, and people with disabilities in areas of subject matter expertise.

• 3. Program Support and Compliance (5%)

  Participate in external meetings and serve on committees as a DRW representative. Comply with program requirements, including reporting and filing deadlines. Respond to inquiries from the media and other stakeholders as directed.

• 4. General (5%)

  Adhere to all DRW policies and procedures, including but not limited to work hours, timesheets, file maintenance, confidentiality, and security. Participate in DRW activities such as all staff meetings and committees. Participate in community outreach. May be other related duties as assigned.

Note on Attorney - Litigation: The Staff Attorney - Litigation designation is differentiated by the majority of time spent on client representation.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or the ability to become licensed within three to six months of hiring.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate specific issues, identify relevant facts, and conduct legal research.
• Experience meeting the legal needs of people of culturally diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with persons with disabilities or social justice movements, either in a paid or unpaid capacity.
• Knowledge and skill in at least one area of law directly relevant to individuals with disabilities, including special education, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, government benefits, prevention of abuse and neglect in institutional and community settings, and community‑based mental health programs.
• Experience conducting discovery, motion practice, preparing cases for contested hearings, and litigating through trial, post‑trial, and appeal.
• Experience working with advocates and providing legal and case management support.
• Prior advocacy experience, which could include teaching or training, outreach, or technical assistance, experience in special education is desired.
• Ability to write and/or speak Spanish, Hmong, or American Sign Language (ASL) as well as English is desired.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Ability to perform sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.
• Ability to operate office equipment.
• Independent travel is required (10%).

Travel

This position requires up to 10% travel throughout Wisconsin. Travel is anticipated to average 1 to 2 days per month, which may include an overnight stay. The travel schedule is expected to vary throughout the calendar year. While travel dates are typically scheduled far in advance, the position could require travel on short notice.

Benefits

Disability Rights Wisconsin places an unparalleled value on the well‑being of our staff. The following benefits are offered for permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week:

• Generous employer contribution for individual and family health insurance, plus a Health Reimbursement Account for uncovered health care costs. Employer-provided Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Contribution Flex Spending Account Access to affordable, quality: Dental, Vision Coverage Additional Life Insurance for the employee, spouse, and children Critical Illness Insurance Identity Theft Pet Insurance

Public Student Loan Forgiveness:

Employment at our organization may qualify you for federal student loan forgiveness programs. We do not directly pay for, nor forgive, federal student loans. However, our status as a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) makes us an eligible employer. There may be other factors that determine whether one qualifies.

For more information, read the Federal Student Aid Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) page: studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Paid time off policies

• 10 Fixed and 4 Floating Holidays
• Leave time for: Medical and Caretaking
• Vacation
• Personal
• Bereavement Leave

Additional benefits include the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Commuter Choice, and Sabbatical Leave.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status following Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Our organization is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.